Review of NOM Standards on Oral Surgery and Periodontology

Abstract

The Mexican Official Standards (Normas Oficiales Mexicanas, NOMs) constitute a mandatory legal, scientific and administrative framework in dental practice because they regulate the quality of services, patient safety and professional responsibility. For periodontics specialists, knowledge and application of these standards not only represents an ethical commitment but also legal protection against sanctions that may range from reprimands and financial fines reaching millions of pesos to partial or definitive closure of clinics and even criminal consequences. Recent studies have shown that although dentists recognize the existence and importance of the NOMs, their knowledge and practical application remain limited. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among students at the Centro Mexicano en Estomatología, Morelia Campus. Inclusion criteria: students in the specialties of Oral Surgery, Periodontics, Orthodontics and Maxillary Orthopedics, and Pediatric Dentistry. A total of 41 residents from different dental specialties were evaluated using a structured 40-item instrument focused on the Mexican legal regulations applicable to clinical dental practice; the questionnaire included items on NOM-004-SSA3-2012, NOM-013-SSA2-2015, NOM-087-SEMARNAT-SSA1-2002 and NOM-005-SSA3-2018. One hundred percent (100%) answered correctly the question about the elements that make up the clinical record, demonstrating solid knowledge of this fundamental part of medical documentation; nevertheless, significant deficiencies persist that are particularly relevant in periodontics, where clinical practice involves surgical procedures, generation of fluids and handling of biological-infectious materials. Strengthening the teaching and evaluation of the Mexican Official Standards will allow consolidation of an ethical, safe and legally supported professional practice for both patients and clinicians.